You are now free to send text messages during your entire Southwest Airlines flight.

The Dallas-based company, already leading the airline industry for in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity, launched a technology Wednesday that allows passengers with Apple devices operating iOS 5 or later to send iMessages from gate-to-gate for just $2.

Android-friendly messaging apps will be added to the fleet’s capabilities in 2014.

The FAA’s recent decision to loosen its electronic device rules for commercial airplanes had a few major exceptions that continue limiting certain capabilities. Specifically, the devices must remain in airplane mode, which turns off the cellular network and leaves users without a connection until the aircraft’s Wi-Fi is powered up once the plane reaches a safe altitude.

Southwest was the first and only U.S. carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi so passengers can connect from the moment of boarding until the moment they deplane. Its competitors still rely on ground-to-plane services that prevents access below 10,000 feet during both ascent and descent.

This gate-to-gate capability allowed the carrier to step up its competitive edge again by partnering with Global Eagle Entertainment Inc.

To use the service, customers still must put their devices in airplane mode and then connect to Southwest’s network. Once the airline’s homescreen appears, passengers can select between web browsing and messaging for a fee.

While $2 gets a passenger messaging capabilities, $8 gets all day internet access, including messaging.

“When the ban on inflight connectivity below 10,000 feet was lifted, we knew we were in a great position to take some significant strides in terms of passenger experience with Southwest Airlines,” said John LaValle, Global Eagle’s chief executive officer, in a news release. “Our messaging service breaks new ground, and embraces the changing face of communication, one where texting has already surpassed voice calls as the preferred method of phone use among young adults, and continues to grow.”

Emilie Rusch covers retail and commercial real estate for The Post. A Wisconsin native and Mizzou graduate, she moved to Colorado in 2012. Before that, she worked at a small daily newspaper in South Dakota. It's the one with Mount Rushmore.